Favorite Reads of the Week: 14 May 2016

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I read many helpful and inspirational articles this week. Thank you to all those who contribute such great reads to the blogosphere! Here are just a few of the articles I thought you might enjoy. To see more lists of geneabloggers’ favorite posts, check out Randy Seaver’s “pick posts” section here.

Researching Enslaved People Through Plantation Papers by Andi Cumbo-Floyd at Our Folks Tales. “The great tragedy is that I am most likely to find references to enslaved people in the financial papers – in the account and cash books, in the receipts, in the records from Jack, the enslaved shoemaker’s shop.”

Are In-person Genealogy Events Dead? by Amy Johnson Crow at Amy Johnson Crow. “I’ve been involved in genealogy societies (local, state, and national) since the 1990s. I know how wonderful in-person events can be. They’re part family reunion and part support group. They’re energizing and invigorating.”

NGS: The FAN Club by Jill Morelli at Genealogy Certification: My Personal Journal. “I attended a number of Elizabeth Shown Mills‘s presentations this past week at the NGS 2016 annual conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida… ESM rarely works with direct evidence and is usually in the extreme ends of the lineage trying to solve her research question.”

The Upside of Negative Results by Allison at Legacy Tree Genealogists. “Believe it or not, finding nothing can actually be a good thing. Deflating and unexciting, sure, but still a good thing.”

Exploring the Person View on the FamilySearch Tree App by Jana Last at Jana’s Genealogy and Family History Blog. “Today I’d like to show you some other neat features of this app. I’ll take you on a little tour, if you will, specifically about the features while you’re on the Person view of a specific ancestor.”

Creating and Sharing Family History

Creative Calendar Fun by Miriam J. Robbins at My Canvas. “This was a wonderfully creative outlet for me, and I look forward to using ancestral photos, historical documents, and even recipes to highlight pages of upcoming calendars.”

Heirlooms and Hand Me Downs – Who Cares?! by Lori Samuelson at Genealogy At Heart. “I read recently an online article about the glazed over look that family members often get when we genealogists start talking about the past. The author mentioned that he was frustrated that his family doesn’t seem to care while the actors featured on tv shows are always so excited about their genealogy finds. I understand why our family members often don’t get it. Here’s my top 5 reasons for the disconnect and a way to get around it…”

Surprising Health Benefits from Keeping a Journal by Lynnae Allred at LDS Living. “What could you do better for your children and your children’s children,” he asked, “than to record the story of your life, your triumphs over adversity, your recovery after a fall, your progress when all seemed black, your rejoicing when you had finally achieved?”

Family History is For Everyone

Articles that tell why genealogy is important to people from all walks of life

May I Introduce to You . . . Kathleen Gregory by Gini Webb at GeneaBloggers. “Genealogy gave me a sense of purpose and a focus. I feel accomplished when I uncover a record that makes the connection I was seeking, or makes me think about the next step I need to take.”

A childless Holocaust survivor gained a new family by Assaf Kamar at Ynetnews. “On Tuesday, after decades, and with the aid of a technological innovation using an old family tree in her home, Nata Gattegno, a Holocaust survivor who has lived for years on her own and was left barren following severe abuse in Auschwitz, discovered many relatives she has never met and never knew of her story.”

Discover Your House History: “If These Walls Could Speak” by Lisa Louise Cooke at Genealogy Gems. “Are you curious about the history of the house you live in, or would you like to trace the history of a family property? The online article “How to Research Your Home’s Past” by Charity Vogel has some great ideas.”

New Initiative: Tribal Quest by Esther at the MyHeritage Blog. “MyHeritage is excited to announce the launch of a new global initiative — Tribal Quest — to record the family histories of tribal people living in remote locations and to preserve their stories for future generations. … We believe that there is great value in recording their stories and family histories on an individual level.”

Our Family’s 105-Year-Old Heirloom Has Seen 13 Weddings by Julia Park Tracey at Woman’s Day. “It’s at a life-changing time like a wedding, birth, or death when a family tradition or heirloom can bring deeper meaning to the ceremony or celebration. Like the famous wedding rhyme, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” — our wedding handkerchief carries more than just symbolism.”

PBS’ ‘Genealogy Roadshow’ opening its third season in Albuquerque by Adrian Gomez at Albuquerque Journal. “The Duke City will be in the spotlight during the premiere of the third season of “Genealogy Roadshow” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 17. … In preparation for the tapings, show producers sought New Mexico residents who have (or believe they have) interesting or significant family stories.”

Family History: A Tombstone Miracle by Melia at Brightly Street. “The sun had shown just at the part that I couldn’t read before and I could read it perfectly. Tears came to my eyes as I realized this was one of the small miracles that would and does happen as the Lord unlocks the treasures of our past and helps us accomplish the awesome responsibility to find and help our kindred dead.”

Family History (that your grandma probably doesn’t do) by Taylor Olson at Ruby Girl. “Now, as a young adult, my family has become genealogy OBSESSED. … Based off of what I’ve learned from the many more qualified people in my life, here are my ideas on how you and I can get involved.”

Trekking Part 2: Find Pioneer Trek Stories Online by Carolyn Call at LDS Church News. “In advance, youth could research or be given the name and brief biography of a handcart pioneer. They could be asked to study the biography with the idea that they will walk on trek as if they were that person and will try to do the things that he or she would have done on the journey to Zion.”

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About Nicole Dyer

Nicole Dyer is a professional genealogist, lecturer, and creator of FamilyLocket.com and the Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast. She is the co-author of "Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide" and author of "Find Names for the Temple: A Step-by-Step Method for Success." Nicole is the publicity chair at the Pima County Genealogy Society. She specializes in Southern United States research, including Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. She holds a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University in History Teaching.

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Diana Elder, AG®, and Nicole Dyer

We are mother & daughter professional genealogists sharing ideas for finding ancestors and keeping them close to the heart. Check out our ‘how to’ articles on the blog, then check out our services page for professional research assistance. We are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Read more about us here. Thanks for visiting!